Literacy for Learning - Raising literacy to levels that encourage learning requires moving beyond phonics and word recognition. The National Academy of Education recommends two initiatives that should be part of a national effort: (1) State and federal governments should increase investment in early education programs and make oral language development a primary focus of preschool and (2) English language learners should get targeted, conceptually rich language instruction starting in preschool and continuing until students are fully proficient in English. If possible, bilingual or dual language techniques should be used. (National Academy of Education, November 2008)...